Culture | Meer

Victor Gabriel Gilbert, Flower Seller Making a Bouquet

How did flowers end up having a meaning?

Symbolism, culture, and emotion through blooming beauty

Francois Boucher Madame de Pompadour (1756)

The allure of strong women

The royal mistress at the French court

A women feeling the crushing pain of domestic violence and navigating through it

Domestic violence against women in Somali communities

Why generations of women have suffered and how we can change the future

“Song of the Towers” by Aaron Douglas (1934) captures the resilience and resistance of African Americans, echoing the spirit of the freedom fighters whose stories are too often left untold in American history

Untold and untaught history: America’s true freedom fighters

The buried legacy of those who fought for freedom not granted to them

Göbekli Tepe is a Neolithic archaeological site located in Upper Mesopotamia (al-Jazira) in present-day Turkey. The settlement was occupied from approximately 9500 BCE to at least 8000 BCE, during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period

From cave paintings to cuneiform

Tracing the development of symbolism and the birth of written language

Two girls walk down the street, embracing each other in a warm hug, sharing a moment of kindness and connection

The art of small kindness

Connection in a fragmented world

People from diverse backgrounds glued to their smart devices, immersed in endless scrolling—highlighting the modern addiction to constant connectivity

Free yourself from the relentless information barrage

There certainly is a virtue in the new philosophy: “less is more”

A lone figure stands between two opposing landscapes—one vibrant with autumn’s fiery hues, the other cold and fading into mist—visually embodying the inevitability of transformation and the dialectical balance between opposites

Opposition and mediation in everyday life

Embracing change and finding solutions in a world of duality

Fort St. Angelo (Maltese: Forti Sant'Anġlu or Fortizza Sant'Anġlu) is a bastioned fort in Birgu, Malta, located at the centre of the Grand Harbour

The Maltese language

A unique blend of Arabic, Italian, and English heritage

A woman standing behind the ruins of a torn-down castle, creating a spooky thriller atmosphere

Karl Friedrich Kahlert’s "The necromancer"

Unmasking the supernatural in a gothic tale of mystery and deception

Through war photography and photojournalism, a photographer chronicles life in conflict zones, revealing the human cost of war and humanitarian struggles

Photojournalism: capturing stories that matter

Visual storytelling that connects us to the world, exposes injustice, and documents history

People from different cultures standing together may experience cultural misunderstandings, often leading to stronger prejudices and biases

Cultural misunderstandings and their impact

The roots and consequences of bias with insights from "The Literature Express"

Six African American women dressed in white pants pose together in the USA

Who is truly African American?

Identity and ethnicity in modern America

Sir Peter Lat, a visionary mentor whose belief in others empowered a generation

A mentor’s legacy: remembering Sir Peter Lat

Honoring a man whose unwavering beliefs in others created opportunities and left a lasting legacy

The Chausath Yogini Temple in Morena, Madhya Pradesh, is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to the 64 Yoginis, the female attendants of the goddess Shakti. Constructed in the 10th century, this temple stands as a testament to India's rich spiritual heritage and architectural brilliance

Enigmatic 64 Yoginis: guardians of cosmic energy in tantra

The origins, powers, and sacred temples of the divine feminine beings

The Ma'nene Ritual is a traditional ceremony in Tana Toraja where the bodies of ancestral family members are exhumed, carefully cleaned, and dressed in new clothes as a way to honor and show respect for the deceased

Living with the dead: Indonesian death rituals

The sacred rituals of Ma’nene in Tana Toraja

Dreaming between worlds — where inner vision begins shaping the Earth we long for

Dreaming a new world, a new earth

Imagination leads the way

Members of Malaysia’s aboriginal communities in Selangor Province, photographed in July 2006

Under the crust of Penang

Sumay Cheah and Joël Lim Du Bois: seeking an authentic way to understand the other

Sultan Selim III holding an audience in front of the Gate of Felicity, with courtiers assembled in strict protocol. Oil on canvas. Topkapı Palace Museum, Istanbul (Inv. 17/163), Turkey

Ottoman statesmen and their nicknames

Nicknames of statesmen reveal their personalities, victories and declines in the Ottoman Empire

Timur, also known as Tamerlane, was a Turco-Mongol conqueror who founded the Timurid Empire in and around modern-day Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia, becoming the first ruler of the Timurid dynasty

Amir Temur: a symbol of justice and power

The sword of Islam and the architect of an empire

The Analysis of Beauty, Plate 1 (1753) by William Hogarth, is part of his exploration into the principles of artistic beauty. This particular plate is housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, United States

William Hogarth: pioneer of comics and political cartoons

From 18th-century engravings to modern comics

A reenactment of the Daranshi Cave massacre on Jeju Island, depicting the tragic events of the 1948 incident, South Korea

Han Kang and the memory of the Jeju massacre

Han Kang turns historical trauma into a quiet meditation on grief and memory

A symbolic encounter between human consciousness and artificial intelligence, representing the need for balanced integration to ensure a harmonious, evolving future

The future of humanity in the age of AI

An analysis based on the universal scientific Princonser method

1 Palestinian mils, 1927, with "Palestine" written in English, Arabic, and Hebrew

Pre-partition Palestinian coins

Numismatic imagery and representation until 1948

With the horizon in the background, the open book symbolizes the promise that "the border is always open" for those willing to embark on literary adventures, where the visa never expires and the invitation is perpetually extended

The literary passport: how books take us beyond ourselves

How deep reading, like travel, expands our identity and enriches our understanding of what it means to be human

Marsha P. Johnson, Joseph Ratanski and Sylvia Rivera in 1973 by Gary LeGault

Queer history: a global journey to equality

Queer figures through mythology and history

This embrace of diverse individuals illustrates the ethical shift where international policy must prioritize human well-being, moving beyond abstract statistics to concrete improvements in people's lives

From mankind to humanity

A generational dialogue on strategy, compassion, and the cost of war

A male game character inspired by Pottan Theyyam, the vibrant and lively ritual performance from Kerala, would embody the dynamic and powerful qualities of this ancient tradition, India

Theyyam: Northern Kerala's popular culture

A sacred performance of tradition and transformation

A woman stands in Rainbow Village in Taichung, Taiwan, wearing a long yellow dress, surrounded by vibrant, colorful street art and murals

The value of cultural heritage in society

Challenges in cultural education, accessibility, and public engagement

These ancestral depictions remind us of humanity's long journey from isolated tribes to a "global civilization," a process shaped by constant struggle and transformation over millennia

May you live interesting times…

Understanding the constant ebb and flow of life: how humanity's growing awareness and spiritual forces offer hope in a globally interconnected world

An open old book with torn pages tells stories not just through its words

Lara Gochin Raffaelli on translating L’Innocente

Capturing d’Annunzio’s language and intensity

The Dark Sun holds potential too luminous for the unprepared eye

Facing the dark

A poetic inquiry into the architecture of human latency

A statue of an ancient Greek philosopher, depicted as a deity, holding a book to symbolize wisdom and knowledge

The Stoic path to happiness

How the resurgence of Stoicism might lead us to accept the unacceptable

A surreal representation of the human mind navigating the tension between usefulness and uselessness

The uselessness of usefulness

Finding meaning in a world obsessed with functionality

A Nepali man stands in the foreground, gazing at the majestic temple in Patan, Nepal, surrounded by the rich cultural architecture of the ancient city

Nepali culture: diversity, traditions, and heritage

Nepal's vibrant communities, spiritual practices, and cultural legacies

The concept of Bigfoot intertwines with discussions on evolution and the possibility of an anthropoid ape species

Harley’s Bigfoot encounter

A journey from skepticism to capturing Bigfoot's presence

Painting titled "Old House Ruin, Wadi Qadisha, Lebanese Valley" by George Matta

In plain sight: the Lebanese imprint in Latin America

From Ottoman roots to Latin American riches: how the Lebanese diaspora thrived in a "land of opportunity"

Robert William Buss, The Ghost Story

Rituals & politics in Carl Grosse’s Horrid Mysteries

Gothic horror and secret societies

Amidst the devastation, the simple act of holding hands symbolizes the enduring human connection and the vital need for support in Gaza's immense task of "rebuilding"

Rebuilding: designing an inclusive future in Gaza

A vision for inclusive reconstruction in Gaza amidst unimaginable loss

When our natural instincts are repressed by societal expectations and routine, the inner fire can manifest as self-destruction; true release lies in embracing our wild spirit

The taming of fire

Escaping the cage: adventure and self-discovery

A human and an AI-created human replica, illustrating the intersection of technology and humanity

Identity and artificial replication in "Klara and the Sun"

Role of relationships and the "Other" in identity formation

Marranos were Spanish, Portuguese, and Navarrese Jews who converted to Christianity in the 15th and 16th centuries—often under pressure—but secretly continued practicing Judaism or were suspected of doing so

My “Spanglish’ Vatican tour

Exploring hidden histories through two languages

A woman in a green and black tank top raises her hands in protest

The need to think the unthinkable

Against the age of algorithmic obedience

Leonardo da Vinci, The heart and coronary vessels drawing

The intersection of art and medicine

The role of art in shaping medical knowledge, featuring the La Medicina Nella Storia, Nell'Arte, Nel Costume Series

The iconic white smoke billowing from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, visible above the gathered crowds at St. Peter's Basilica, signifying the election of a new pope, yet the question remains: how much institutional change does this ancient ritual truly represent?

How much can we expect the Church to change with a new pope?

The Church still has a chunk of wood in its eye

Amid the collapse of order and meaning, the solitary soul ascends in search of a higher purpose

Nihilism, freedom, and our transformed human future

The death of God, the will to power, and the search for meaning in a post-nihilistic world

Diverse women in vibrant, flowing silhouettes emerging from nature, symbolizing the potential for compassionate and nurturing leadership rooted in the feminine principle

What if women ruled the world?

Reimagining leadership through a balanced lens

Josip Broz Tito and Emperor Haile Selassie in Koper, Slovenia

The Martinović case: a symbol of Yugoslavia’s ethnic strife

How a controversial assault fueled nationalist tensions and historical narratives

A woman surrounded by sound frequencies, exploring the connection between language and speech sounds

The mystery of language: phonosemantics and sound perception

The connection between sounds and meaning in human communication

A woman’s head and hands are visible outside a train window under a cloudy daytime sky

The expat journey: navigating life abroad

New cultures, overcoming challenges, and finding growth beyond borders

The Yellow Kid is an American comic-strip character that appeared from 1895 to 1898 in Joseph Pulitzer's New York World, and later William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal, created and drawn by Richard F. Outcault

The Yellow Kid: the birth of modern comics

From New York’s slums to iconic legacy

Unknown photographer, Children After the London Blitz, London, UK, 1940

Seeing war: presentation, perception, and responsibility

Visual consumption and the moral tension of confronting conflict imagery

Amidst a lush green field, she gazes intently at her reflection, reminding us that in storytelling, true emotional depth comes from embracing vulnerability

The art of sincerity in modern storytelling

Rediscovering the power of honesty in a world of irony and self-awareness

Leonid Pasternak (1862–1945), a renowned Russian painter and the father of the famous poet and translator Boris Pasternak, was closely associated with the celebrated author Leo Tolstoy, capturing intimate portraits of the literary giant during his lifetime

Leo Tolstoy’s failed project

Is it possible to capture ‘life as it is’?

Pope Francis’ visit to Kazakhstan on one of his papal visits

Pope Francis’ prophetic voice still echoes in a peril planet

An environmental message endures as a moral call to action in the face of climate crisis

A pair of Ottoman children's slippers, 1860s-1880s

Ottoman education and the footwear deficit

The Imperial Tribal School at the turn of the twentieth century

A pair of glasses rests on an open map, alongside a passport from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, visually capturing the forced journeys and global scattering of Venezuelan exiles as they navigate new lives far from their homeland

Venezuelans: the unbreakable people

A personal reflection on what it means to lose a nation from within, and the defiant act of rebuilding identity and community abroad

An illustration of a couple on a date, enjoying a cozy and intimate moment together

The modern dating lexicon: from “Ick” to red flags

How relationship terms shape compatibility and attraction

A lone figure stands on a surreal landscape beneath an expansive, ethereal sky, perfectly encapsulating the journey from individual awakening and appreciation of life's miracles to profound reflections on human existence amidst global complexities and political clamor

Just another day

Finding serenity in a world of headlines

The intellect of possibilities: a vision beyond constraints

The chance for ethical intellectuality

A note on education, AI, and the future of human autonomy

Faces covered in a dark, glossy substance and partially bound by chains, powerfully evoke the historical and ongoing struggles against enslavement and betrayal

The enduring shadow of betrayal

Examining the historical echoes of "African Blood Betrayers" and their continued impact on the struggle for African unity and independence

Roberto Espeche, a man reborn (illustration by Paola Bilancieri)

An insatiable salesman

From a life-altering accident to inspiring thousands, discover the extraordinary perseverance of a man who never stops selling his story

Jacques-Louis David, Oath of the Horatii, 1784, Louvre Museum, Paris, Oil of Canvas, 329.8 x 424.8 cm

Liberté: the birth of a revolutionary symbol

The transformation of Liberté from ancient goddess to revolutionary icon in French art

A face shrouded in smoke, showing a hint of human suffering and vulnerability

How do we decide what is human and what is monstrous?

Conventions are the basis of our humanity

A woman examines a picture of the moon's surface

Unveiling Ufology's leading ladies

Are we truly alone? Meet the women shaping ufology's future

A man staring at a board filled with colorful adhesive notes after a brainstorming session

The cause of death of the Agile methodology

How a promising theory fell from grace

A hand-made wooden cigar box, open to reveal a neatly arranged row of cigars with varied bands, alongside a silver cigar cutter

Cigar culture: a celebration of taste and time

Discovering a world of flavor, friendship, and affordable luxury

Château de Bresse-sur-Grosne stands in the heart of a quiet field—a mysterious and majestic presence in rural France

Eleanor Sleath and "The Orphan of the Rhine"

Gothic morality, religion, and rational sensibility

The Longshan Temple in Taipei, Taiwan, features an ancient roof adorned with dragons, set against a backdrop of a clear blue sky and fluffy white clouds

Taiwan, Neptune in Aries: tales from the East

A journey through spiritual synchronicity and cultural wisdom in the wake of cosmic shifts

Front view of people from Christian and Muslim faiths praying together in unity

Α Eurasian voice and a Malaysian proverb

Humanity through philosophy, faith, and action

Akhenaten and Nefertiti seated, holding three of their daughters, under the rays of the sun god Aton

Akhenaten in Shanghai and the allure of the infamous

Reflecting on the mistaken judgments of history

Flames engulf the ruins of a once-thriving city, capturing the brutal aftermath of a world built on domination rather than cooperation

Civilization in crisis

Man-made society and nature’s ecosystem are suffering

George Town, Penang, Malaysia, street art in Penang: a man and mural

Multicultural coexistence in George Town

Sumay Cheah and Joël Lim Du Bois reflect on heritage, coexistence, and the creative spirit connecting Malaysia's diverse traditions

Inca and Mayan stone carvings featuring intricate designs and alchemical symbols

Poetics of conceptual space

Another space prior to the one outside us: the inner space

A Bücker Bü 133 Jungmeister replica with a Lycoming IO-540 engine on display at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field in Dallas, Texas, United States

Exploring the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, Texas

A fascinating journey through aviation history for enthusiasts and casual visitors alike

A man staring at a giant clock, watching as time goes by

The currency of life: the time of our lives

Challenging the systems that consume our days and rediscovering the true value of living

John Opie: "A Council Chamber" (The Night Brawl with Cassio and Roderigo / Disturbance of Othello and Desdemona from William Shakespeare's *Othello*, Act II, Scene iii)

Is Othello a sexist play?

Reading Shakespeare’s classics in the XXI century

Totem poles in Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 2022

The past I offered to burn

Political, economic, and social offenses against the Indigenous peoples of North America

A marionete being displayed to represent how theatre influences our way of living

Living the theatre of life

Exploring the stage as a mirror of society and a voice for change

Our essence lies not in triumphs, but in its unfolding

Sapiognostic awakening: on the boundless human potential

A philosophical manifesto for a new civilizational design

A woman in Egypt practices her worship rituals inside her home during Ramadan, with the two prominent minarets in the distance belonging to the Al-Rifa'i Mosque in Cairo, Egypt

Ramadan in Egypt: a century of tradition and transformation

Egypt’s Ramadan customs that have evolved while preserving their cultural essence

The wrinkles on this elder's face tell a story of years lived with wisdom, a living testament to the timeless proverbs that guide Somali life and communication

The role of proverbs in Somali storytelling and daily life

Exploring the timeless wisdom and cultural significance of proverbs in shaping Somali identity and communication

Hands forming a heart, symbolizing peace, love, and the universal bond of humanity

The constitution of values

Blueprint to peace: shaping a world of unity through truth, love and respect

A group of black children playing with a ball on the street

American Fiction: satirical critique of black stereotypes

American Fiction or American Reality?

Three women stand resilient in the vast desert, embodying the spirit of Ahlam Mosteghanemi's literary exploration of identity and empowerment in the Arab world

Ahlam Mosteghanemi: feminism in Arabic literature

Exploring the depths of identity and love in her trilogy

Musée Ingres-Bourdelle, L'Arbre de la Liberté, Bernard Prosper Debia, The Tree of Liberty

Liberté, gender, and symbolism in revolutionary France

Reinterpreting the female form of Liberté

An astronaut floating on space with the Earth as background

The Pale Blue Dot

A cosmic perspective on our existence

A cartoon of a woman talking on a cell phone, lying on the floor, depicted as a meme

Power of memes: shaping communication and society

Cultural, political, and social impact of memes in the digital age

Ganesha the Hindu elephant god symbolizes protection and the removal of obstacles from one's path

The great Ganesh festival in India

A celebration of unity, devotion, and prosperity

Edinburgh, Scotland, is home to stunning Gothic architecture, showcasing its rich historical and cultural heritage

The gothic deception: fear and morality in Clermont

The Northanger Abbey horrid novels

A child sits with balloons in front of a wall of movie posters, Kolkata, WB, India

Transformative power of Bollywood on Indian culture

Bollywood's role in reflecting, challenging, and reshaping India's cultural landscape

Teenager experiencing cyberbullying on smartphone, feeling upset and isolated

The impact of social media on mental health

Importance of mental health awareness, access to care, and early intervention for a supportive future

Estevanico, shown in this painting, was renowned for his ability to communicate with Native American tribes, mastering several indigenous languages during his travels

Mustafa Al-Azmouri: the Moroccan who explored America

Uncovering the legacy of the explorer and how he shaped American history

Artemis with a hind, better known as "Diana of Versailles" as it was long exhibited in the Versailles Castle. Marble, Roman artwork, Imperial Era (1st-2nd centuries CE). Found in Italy

The gods of Greece and Rome

A way for kids to experience the allure and drama of ancient Rome

Sculputure of the God Vishnu in Sheshnarayan Temple, near Kathmandu, Nepal

The birth of Indian iconography

A deep dive into symbolism and artistry

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